A team of intrepid women set out to put a new spin on Women’s Day in a Cape dorpie on Thursday.
The Spinderellas headed out to Montagu to participate in a Women’s Day march protesting the scourge of abuse of women and children in South Africa, followed by a dynamic Spin event celebrating women in the sport.
Abuse is no less than a plague in our society, destroying the lives of children and women, the mothers we need to build a better future for all.
Hurt children and you create people who will hurt others, hurt women and you break the backbone of the community.
Violence against anybody is always an inexcusable wrong.
The growing participation of Cape women in the Spinning scene celebrates their fierce determination and perseverance in what has traditionally been a sport frequented mostly by male participants, an inspiring and empowering message for others.
Bobby Nitro is the first to recognise that women are far superior when it comes to organising industry events – and they throw the best parties afterwards.
Anthea Motzemi is the President of the Western Province Motorsport Association, a Cape Spinning association, and co-owner of a newly established motorsport pitch based in Montagu on route 62 called Pit Stop.
She says: “This march celebrates the lives and success of women in Spinning, but also seeks to raise awareness about the scourge of violence against women and children in this country. I hope this march will give courage to women in knowing that there are many of us standing up and demanding to be heard.
“The march is also intended to make men realise their strengths should be used to build up our communities. By marching in this way we are saying let’s begin restoring our community. There has been a corrosion of our dignity, it is time to have hope for ourselves and begin to build a better society and a better nation.”
The event on Thursday combined awareness, education and good old six-cylinder thrills. Anthea says: “Those on the march, especially the young people, were educated by a constable from the Montagu SAPS about the prevalence and effects of violence against those most vulnerable in our society. This was followed by a lunch and then off to the pitch for Spinning.”
Anthea talks about the Montagu pitch, saying: “For years we have been fighting for a legal pitch in Cape Town. Now some playmakers have decided to take a different route in purchasing land to create their own establishments. Pit Stop was started four months ago to take the youth off the streets and teach them something positive and responsible.
“The venue has also become the home for many other activities and charitable events.
“Not only has Spinning engaged the lads and men, but a growing number of women as well. Women are now building their own vehicles and taking them to the pitch.”
The celebration of women in motorsport continues into the long weekend, with a national gathering on 11 August up in Jozi. Anthea has been invited to judge the Spinderella Event, which will be attended by other women Spinners, DJs, bikers, stunt ladies and more. It is hosted by Wheelz and Smoke and supported by the MSA.
Anthea says she would like to send a big-up to fellow collaborators Sandy Pekeur from autism aid organisation Nosh for Josh and Ayanda from Wheels and Smoke, who is also a co-owner of the Montagu pitch.
Sandy says: “Women need to stand together to support our children, especially to protect our girls. Grandmother and mothers need to come together to talk with our girls. Knowledge is key.”